caffeine

her name's Fran, lifeline's coffee, andsearching for fonts makes her happy

[latte-day]

KRUHAY! 

General Fullon and the folks in red welcome you to where the mountains meet the sea---- ANTIQUE! 

General Leandro Fullon was a revolutionary leader and the liberator of Antique (and as some people believe, Panay) during the Philippine Revolution who was born in Hamtik, Antique. He continued to struggle and fight for freedom and independence during the Filipino-American War. A shrine in honor of General Fullon with his life size statue was erected by the Philippine National Historical Institute at the public plaza of San Jose, Antique, which is now, a revered historical landmark.

             Reference: Philippine News Agency archives

We visited the historical landmark after our visit to the Anini-y Church. The locals were kind enough to share their talent in singing to commemorate and give honor to their unsung hero, General Fullon. 

Please navigate through the links on the sidebar for easier browsing. Enjoy! 

[latte-day]

Through a thick layer of Spain and America, you can glimpse the Filipino soul trying to express its unique, cultural identity through creativity.

It’s More Fun in the Philippines

[latte-day]

Sira-an Hot Spring Resort, Anini-y, Antique

First stop for the first day of our trip is a visit to a haven of clean and refreshing sulfuric water that flows from natural boulders into a man-made, junior-size tiled swimming pool and, below it, jacuzzi-like tubs. It is believed to be very therapeutic and relaxing, perfect for weekend getaways with friends or family who want to de-stress. We only had a short time to explore the place and take pictures but the seemingly mysterious tree caught our attention.

Antique is known for its strong connection with nature and animism. The tree is believed to be really really old where the kapres used to stay at night and that’s why they never dared to cut it. Well it sure looked good in pictures and in real life so it’s good that it’s here to stay. ;)

[latte-day]

Malumpati Cold Spring in Pandan, Antique.

The Malumpati Cold Spring is part of the Bugang River System stretching from Barangay Guia to Barangays Sto. Rosario and Zalivar in Pandan, Antique. The cold, crystal clear water is not the only thing that’s fascinating--the lush forest is majestic as well. The starting point of the water tubing activity is the one on the second photo. We were accompanied by the locals who work there as we walked for about 15 minutes from the main area to here. Look at how blue and crystal clear it is! I really wanted to swim but I don’t know how and I’m scared that I would drown. So I had to wear the vest the whole time and pray that I don’t fall off of the tube. The locals said it’s even more fun when it’s raining because the water is high and the current is fast. We were a bit unlucky because the water’s not too cooperative and the ride on the river tube wasn’t that continuous. But still it was fast enough that I hit my hip on a rock at one point. After that, many of us still couldn’t get over what we just experienced. I really want to go back. Hopefully it’s still gonna be the cleanest river in the country by then. Props to the local government for the development of eco-tourism in the town of Pandan. Not only have they provided livelihood for the townsmen but also a shelter for local and foreign tourists. They have proven as well that development doesn’t need to happen at the expense of ruining nature and communities. 

[latte-day]

Bagtason Loom Weavers Association, Brgy. Bagtason, Bugasong, Antique

After a sumptuous lunch, we headed over to Bugasong where the Bagtason Loom Weavers Association (BLWA) is busy in keeping the age-old art of patadyong weaving. Patadyongs as the Bugasongnons call it is a type of textile made from cottons, abaca and even polyester. It is just like the malongs of the Muslims but it differs in its signature plaid or checkered patterns. It is often used by ladies as skirts, to hold their babies, and as even portable bathrooms and changing rooms during olden days. One look at their hands would tell you that they’ve been doing this craft for years. They’ve grown very familiar with how the strings move and come together that they’re very calm in their work even if they’re trying to finish it as fast as they could. As far as I know, there are six (difficult) stages for this; the measurement (pagsab-ong), the thread arrangement (paglikis), pagbinting, the thread insertion in the reed (pagsulod), (pagtalingyas) and finally, the weaving part (pagpanara).

The old process of patadyong weaving has remained unchanged and is still being practiced by BLWA weavers despite the emergence of modern weaving machines. The equipment that they are using are just aiding them in making the patadyong. It’s still ultimately handmade. Their bestsellers are handkerchiefs called “tubao”, the plain patadyong known as “yano” and the patadyong with embroidery called as “pinilian”.  

Finally we were taught of the different ways ladies use the patadyong. It was really fun and a bit embarrassing to the locals. The culture gap was really obvious during that little game. But still I learned a lot and appreciated the fact that they are making a life and a livelihood out of preserving their culture and traditions. 

[latte-day]

Pottery and Brick Making, Brgy. Bandoja, Tibiao, Antique

After our visit to the weavers of Bugasong, we got off the bus and transferred to a van to get to Bandoja as it’s far from the highway. Bandoja is known for their earthen products made famous by the quality and durability of its bricks and the pottery that comes from a wide variety shapes and decorative techniques. The barangay is blessed with half a million metric tons of clay reserves, and it’s easy to imagine lots and lots of bricks and pots in the workshop. The feel of the clay between my fingers was like a hug from nature who seemed to be telling me that its fate is in my hands. Deep analogy right there. Lol just kidding.

As I am a lover of rustic and antiquated places, where things are either makeshift or made from scratch, and creativity is harnessed without regard to failure because you know you can always start again, this place has a special spot in my heart especially that the lady potters were really helpful to us and they let us have fun and be clumsy and dirty. The manongs who helped us with the bricks were also very patient despite the limited time that we had to make them perfect. 

It was really a one-of-a-kind experience. I hope my name stays on the brick that I made like a lasting memory. 

[latte-day]

OKM Night (Original Kinaray-a Music), Tibiao Fish Spa, Tibiao, Antique

When our tour guide started talking about the last activity for the first day of the trip, I immediately wondered, “Wait, what? A Kinaray-a Concert? For real?” I kind of feel ashamed for being so surprised that such thing exists. It turned out to be a very entertaining and engaging show featuring original songs written by 2 very passionate and renowned Antiqueños: Mr. Dante M. Berong, a Sangguniang Panlalwigan (Provincial Board) member and multi-awarded Kinaray-a music composer and artist, known as “Panay’s King of Festival Theme Songs” and composer of “Hala Bira, Iloilo” who got his inspiration to sing Kinaray-a songs from Mr. Bernie Salcedo, the “King of Kinaray-a Music.” The latter started the trend of composing Kinaray-a songs way back in 1969 when he was just a teenager. Both of them performed energetically that evening, proof that indeed age is just a number and it can never stop you from having fun especially if you love what you do. 

The show is called “Istorya, Kanta, Kinaray-a”, and it’s literally that. In between songs, they talk about how they came to be who they are now, about how they wanted to erase the mentality that those who speak Kinaray-a are not to be accepted in modern society, about how it’s so important that one loves, knows, fights for his homeland with all his heart, mind, and soul. Then they sang and drew us a picture of how the songs are meant to be understood, because they’re obviously all in Kinaray-a and not all the words in the songs would be familiar to us whose mother tongue is Hiligaynon. Even if that’s the case, I felt like during that time, I was an Antiqueño. The music spoke to me and touched me, especially the one that’s called “Mauli Gid Ako Sa Antique”. 

It’s just so heartwarming to hear them express their overflowing love for their hometown, confess that they wouldn’t trade coming home for the urban life or for anything else, and sing their hearts out to their fellow Antiqueños and fellow Filipinos while sending a message of solidarity despite individuality. That despite the differences in upbringing, in culture, and in language, taking pride in one’s culture is something that has to be universal at the end of the day. You may find a prettier place to spend a couple of years in, but you’ll always miss home. You’ll always come back home. And home will always welcome you with open arms.

[latte-day]

The Original Tibiao Bakery in Tibiao, Antique

The first bakery in the municipality of Tibiao is now more than 60 years old. I actually thought it started out in Iloilo and not in Antique because I’ve known it since I was little. My father would usually bring me one of my childhood favorites, the teren-teren. Just thinking about it brings back so many memories. It’s crazy how food is sometimes the only and always the best thing that can make my emotions resurface. Well, I guess I still am a little kid. 

[latte-day]

Traditional Breakfast by the Sea 

Yep. This is real. Makes me want to stop eating processed and canned food for the rest of my life. Indeed, Antiqueños know the way to a person’s heart! 

[latte-day]

Brgy. Malabor, Tibiao, Antique

It was the 2nd day of the trip, and we were woken up at 4 AM for the Lambaklad fishing in a pebble beach in Brgy. Malabor, a walking distance from where we were staying. According to the Philippine Inquirer, “a 'lambaklad' is the Filipino term for “otoshi-ami,” the Japanese name of the largest fish trap net which is literally translated as a drop-in net – a stationary and passive fishing gear that acts as buffer against the incursion of large commercial fishing vessels in municipal waters.”  

Before getting on the bamboo, we were told to wash our hands and feet because it was already a common practice among the fisherfolk. Shortly after that, we were already moving away from the shore. We got to see the sun rise and by then I couldn’t decide which I loved more between that and the sunset. I think they’re equally breathtaking. There’s just something so calming and satisfying about looking out to the sea and the cotton candy sky, and watching a ball of light rise from what seems like a never ending horizon. I am not a morning person, but if I get to see this more often, I probably will be. 

I thought I wasn’t going to enjoy fishing. The smell was overpowering and I was a little dizzy due to lack of sleep. But when I saw this sassy pufferfish, gosh, I changed my mind. I wasn’t able to take a clear photo of its resting bitch face because we were laughing so hard our hands were shaking. The little things do make a difference, and it’s sad that we’re becoming more and more oblivious to them because of shinier and brighter things that are easily lost or broken. 

Here, in a sleepy town in Tibiao, a group of local fisherfolk gather by the shore everyday before sunrise hoping for a good catch. There’s a sense of community, a feeling that all of them belong and matter to one another, that in the absence of one or two, the group cannot move forward. With that is a shared faith that their needs will be met through their commitment to be together--in pulling the rope that will bring the raft farther off shore, in hauling the net that they imagine will be filled with plenty of fish. It’s such a stark contrast to the individualistic way of life of people in the city, where everyone’s on his/her phone even before his/her eyes are open. So it got me thinking: who really has it worse?

[latte-day]

Day 1 - Tiguis Beach, Tibiao, Antique

Colorful skies and the setting sun--a glorious reminder that there really is “good” in goodbye. 

[1000drawings]

[wnq-anonymous]

A bird is safe in its nest - but that is not what its wings are made for.

Amit Ray, World Peace: The Voice of a Mountain Bird (via wnq-anonymous)

[b-ookquotes]

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince (via b-ookquotes)

[b-ookquotes]

Her energy depleted with no reserve to draw upon, her euphoria waned, and the memory of her victory and confidence stolen, she suffered an overwhelming, exhausting heaviness.

Lisa Genova, Still Alice (via b-ookquotes)

[thesewordstogether]

Most of us can’t rush around, talk to everyone, know all the cities of the world, we haven’t time, money, or that many friends. The things you’re looking for, Montag, are in the world, but the only way your average chap will ever see ninety-nine per cent of them is in a book. Don’t ask for guarantees. And don’t look to be saved in any one thing, person, machine, or library. Do your own but of saving, and if you drown, at least die knowing you were headed for shore.

Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 (via thesewordstogether)

[harryandlouisarehappilystrong]

I'm honestly afraid to stop crying. I'm afraid for it to stop hurting. I don't want to ever be ok. I don't ever want to get used to no Zayn.